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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Please come promptly. 1201am on January 1 works fine for me, my schedule is wide open. Feel free to leave your disowned 2nd cousin- twice removed, 2008, behind. He is not welcome in my home, life or family.

2009, I ask you to bring us luck of some kind, just not the bad kind. I need a little boost in that department, as everything seems to go opposite of good. Some financial wiggle room would be wonderful. We are willing to work with you, making sacrafices and planning better- in return for freedom. Also, a large dumpster would be great. We are in need of some downsizing when it comes to unhealthy relationships, unnecessary drama and lifes failures.

Look at all you have to look forward to, 2009! President Obama takes office, though slow- an economic upswing, a more earth friendly year, the new Disney movie 'Up', the start of the 3rd season of 'Big Love', and a fresh slate of opportunities. Share the wealth, will ya?

Since we haven't heard anything about the move, I am going to continue moving forward as if we are staying in Arizona. Regardless of where, we are moving, and the thought exhausts me.

I have been hard core searching this week for places to live. We found some places, and looked at 2 yesterday. One was good, except the placement of the house in the cluster of homes was all wrong, and half the home was wasted space with a ginormous loft. The other home was missing a bedroom, but otherwise perfect! Looks like MLS advertising is subjective......

We found the perfect place though. Just perfect. Location was exact for us, layout was amazing, custom paint was our style. There was an open den off the family room, perfect for MaggieMoo and a playroom. The upstairs had all the bedrooms and a loft, plus the laundry upstairs. It was great size, and the price was perfect. AND we would be able to bring our dog! WELL, I told my real estate agent yesterday I felt I needed to look at it immediately. I would almost be tempted to make an offer sight-unseen, just based on the floor plan from Shea homes I got and all the pictures. She told me she didn't have time and wouldn't show it after 5p since it gets dark. I was unsettled by this. Sure enough, in perfect line with everything else I have dealt with this year, she called at 615p and said she got a call from the agent to that home, stating the owners decided to not rent it out. UN-F$&%ING-BELIEVABLE. I was crushed. It was seriously perfect. Story of my life, though, right? And this is why I TOLD hubby I didn't want to start looking until Jan 1 because our luck!

So we are going to look at 4 more tomorrow, January 1. That makes me extremely nervous because I will only have 30 days to secure a place starting tomorrow! Rentals here go quick, so we will see if we can find a good one!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Wow.... seriously. It is so hard to focus on the true reason for the season when there is so much to do. I have been trying very hard to keep focus on the reasons for long lines at the store, mall traffic, and dwindling checking accounts. As quickly as the holiday comes, it is over, and because of that I have tried to savor all the moments of innocence and childhood wonder my kids are experiencing as they get older.

Last Friday, our little clan finished up Christmas shopping, which was such a relief! We went to Target and the mall, with a dinner trip to Famous Dave's in between. (um, yum!) Our hope was to wrap that night, but that didn't quite happen.

Saturday was a much more productive day! Hubby too BabyGirl to dance class while I went grocery shopping with LilMan. We got our Christmas feast purchased, along with other groceries we needed, all saving 41%! When we all met back at home, we had nap times and geared up to leave! We headed to the mall to see Santa and put in our requests with the big guy. He was 30 minutes late coming back to his throne, and looked as if he needed a bit more to eat to fill that suit, but we got to see him! BabyGirl told him all she wanted, Hubby and I got pictures with him, and LilMan wanted nothing to do with the bearded wonder. We grabbed a quickie but yummy dinner at Johnny Rockett's and met my LilSis and her hubby in the parking lot of the mall. We all piled into my van and went cruising for Christmas lights! So much fun, and some really amazing displays! That was a late night rolling in, and again, no wrapping was done! Eeek!

Sunday we all slept in, Hallelujah! Hubby and LilMan stayed home to clean while BabyGirl and I went to LilSis's house to make cookies! I made my Crybabies and sugar cookies, using cookie cutters my mom inherited from her family. My sister made Snicker doodles, chocolate Andes mint cookies, fudge and Oreo balls. My mom made her fantastic chocolate coconut macaroons- to DIE for! I was so sick by the end of the night from sugar, I could hardly stand my skin. BUT when we got home, we finally wrapped all the gifts left to wrap!

Today is Monday, and I hate knowing that in just a few short days all this preparation and celebration will be over for another year. There's nothing like Christmas. The sounds, smells, lights, atmosphere..... it really is unlike any other time of the year. I wish I could say the people, but most people seem to be especially pissy this time of year, which annoys the heck out of me!

We typically spend Christmas Eve by going to church for service, and then heading over to Hubby's side of the family's celebrations. We sit around and eat and watch movies and play white Elephant until midnight when we give eachother hugs and Christmas wishes and open presents. The kids are always such troopers through this! And with Christmas being so tight this year for everyone, I am sure opening won't take AS long as it normally does. But, then again, we all still love to buy for eachother! Christmas day we will spend the morning with just our little foursome and then I personally will spend the rest of the day in the kitchen. LOL... my side of the family will come over (still don't know what time yet!) and we will enjoy a Christmas feast and time together! With a little present opening on the side. LOL.

I wanted to wish everyone who may take time to read my blog a Merry Christmas! I hope you are able to sit and relax and soak in the moments created together with family. Eat, drink and be merry!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

So there's this new law called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), that our ever so ASSHOLEish president has passed, that could potentially stop my little side-business/ hobby from happening and limit choices parents make for their children. (excuse my anger, but this has rubbed me very wrong and reminded me that the last 8 years have been downright pathetic!). It will prevent parents across the nation from buying and selling their gently used baby items, purchasing unique and handmade toys and clothing and accessories for their kids, or even donating old clothing and baby items to Goodwill- they won't be able to resell them!

This law is 'protecting' our children from Lead and Phthalates. I am a mom, and want the very best and safest items for my kids. But this is excessive, to the -enth degree. There are other ways to go about choosing items for your children such as don't buy things from China, seek out items certified as organic, avoid items containing BPA and buy your own lead testing kit. I don't discredit the need for extended safety, but this law is broad, foggy and lacking specific details. Give parents options, don't take them away!

My only assumption is that the options for items will be smaller due to many companies being wiped off the slate. Instead of having 10 brands of sleepers to choose from when you go to Target, you may only have 2 or 3, depending on what companies survive this new law. Prices are obviously going to go up, to assist large companies in covering some of the testing costs. Thats exactly what America needs, higher prices. Especially the new parents of America, because adjusting to the financial life of children is SO easy. (sense my sarcasm, please)

Chances are, if this law doesn't change, I will be closing my MaggieMoo Designs come February 9th (monumental as my first items went into my shop on February 10, 2008). You will, from February 10th/ National Bankruptcy Day forward, have to be condemned to the life of plain knit, thin burp cloths and rough, corny bibs from WalMart instead of having the option to buy soft and absorbent, handmade with love items from myself and other WAHM's like me. This law will apply to all preexisting inventory, which will cause thousands of companies to simply have to trash their stuff if they cannot afford to test it all.

Items that I have purchased/ love/ support that will be affected? Check them out:

Intention isn't everything, and apparently, just slapping a "not for children under 12" tag on your product won't solve the problem.

CHILDREN’SPRODUCT.--The term “children's product” means a consumerproduct designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. In determining whether a consumer product is primarily intended for a child 12 years of age or younger, the following factors shall be considered:

(A) A statement by a manufacturer about the intended use of such product, including a label on such product if such statement is reasonable.(B) Whether the product is represented in its packaging, display, promotion, or advertising as appropriate for use by children 12 years of age or younger.(C) Whether the product is commonly recognized by consumers as being intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.(D) The AgeDetermination Guidelines issued by the Commission staff in September 2000, and any successor to such guidelines

All products that are marketed or could be perceived as being marketed to children under 12 years old. This is NOT limited to toys. It includes many items including clothing, jewelry, shoes, books, innerware, hair accessories, sunglasses, furniture, art materials, and musical instruments to name a few.

An easy way to contact the big guys in suits about this? CLICK HERE and it will only take you 30 seconds.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Hubby and I sat for a while Saturday night looking at our tree. When he said it looked like a 'beautiful mess, just like our lives', I couldn't have agreed more. Our tree is ginormous, 2 ft taller than the tag said. The branches are just everywhere, and sticking out in the oddest places, some areas bald. The top is so crooked, it took 15 minutes of bending to get it to stand semi-straight for our tree-topper. We have 3 strands of multi-colored dome LED and 3 strands cool white mini LEDs, alternating. We don't have a single matching ornament, only ones that have a history, and have a random blue and silver garland around it that doesn't even go to the bottom of the tree. But its gorgeous. It has character. It speaks. It seriously is just like our lives.

This year has probably been the biggest test of us as humans, and us as a family. We have gone from multiple car accidents, to deaths of loved ones, to incidents involving authorities, to daycare issues, to loss of relationships, to the short-sale of our home, to numerous medical issues, to struggling faith, to LOTS of drama (98% of it pointless and unnecessary), to major financial hardship- all in a years time. We look at each incident that has happened in the past year, and are in shock to see ourselves still standing where we do. I have no clue why or how God put us on this track of the struggles we have faced this year.

I can look back to this past year and count how many things impacted our lives in a positive way. Sad, because our lives should be filled with constant joy- too many to count. But if it weren't for my 2 precious children, I cannot say where we would be right now. There's one thing to be said though, about this beautiful mess we call our lives. Our marriage is strengthening. While having our babies, and our focus was forced into another direction, we let that focus on eachother be shadowed. We have readjusted our sight, and naturally, we are focusing on eachother again, little by little. Relationships take constant work, and we have finally started to balance out that tricky ratio of marriage and children.

I plan on making a laundry list of changes for 2009. Although we thought 2008 was our clean slate, and we wrecked our car 12 days later- we have nothing to loose by hoping the best for 2009. How much worse could it get? So I will make these slight adjustments to my little family and our life, some affecting the people around me, and some only staying within the walls of my home. But it is time for a change. (yes, I voted for Obama, too... lol). My children deserve to grow up in a home and life that is not filled with constant dispute and drama. In one that is financially organized. One that is filled with happy times more than stressed times. One that is surrounded by love.

I have quoted this before, but I have to do it again.

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:11, NIV)

"The Ex List" – 0 episodes After airing only four episodes, it's very unlikely that CBS will bring this romantic comedy back.

The CW

"Easy Money" – 0 episodes

"Valentine" – 0 episodes

"In Harm's Way" – 0 episodes

The CW rented three hours of their Sunday night airtime to Media Rights Capital (MRC), but instead of filling the timeslots with established programming, MRC aired three original shows that failed to attract viewers. The shows were quickly pulled from the lineup and have since been replaced by CBS' cancelled drama "Jericho" at 7pm and various movies between 8pm and 10pm.

FOX

"Do Not Disturb" – 0 episodes Three episodes are all you're going to get out of Fox for this comedy.

Monday, December 1, 2008

NaBlopoMo...... This weekend was entirely too busy for me to even turn on my computer! I went strong for 26 days on NaBloPoMo, but missed the last 4 days!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to back-post though for those days, so I will be a cheating winner. LOL

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Now that Thanksgiving is over, my family is approaching the busy month of December full force! Our December never seems to slow down.

We spent a good portion of the day Spring Winter cleaning. Bathrooms, floors, ceiling fans, dusting the stuff you never think to dust, deep kitchen cleaning, laundry that never ends, etc. It is AMAZING how the tidiness of your home and change your attitude! I feel so much better when the crevices and holes are cleaned out, and there was no way I felt good leaving Wednesday for a week knowing how filthy my house was! I only have a few more punch list items to attend to before we go, but otherwise, my house is all ready for Christmas decor!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say thereis no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tellme the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Friday, November 28, 2008

My constant complaining about not being able to Black Friday shop since we had the kiddos and no sitter still couldn't keep me home. I woke at was at WalMart at 440am. The wonderful thing is our WalMart is 24hours, meaning I could go right in! No standing out in (our version of) cold in line. Everyone was piled around the center isles, waiting for the 5am go-ahead to start buying up all the specials! I have never seen more people at a WalMart before, and I go every year! I scored some awesome deals on a few things, and my sister and I fought through the crowds without any drama or fights. (quite the accomplishment for us as a pair). I even did my first good-deed for the season and bought the cashier a bottle of water. There's no one who works harder than retail workers on BF! I definitely think they are all patient creatures!

I left there and headed off to pick up Hubby and the babes at home. We gassed the car up ($29! woot!) and headed to God's heaven on earth--- Target. By the time we got there, they had been open for 45min so the atmosphere was calm. Although, there is no atmosphere as insane as WalMart. We ended up with even MORE awesome deals there!

Leaving there was our first Starbucks stop. And who could resist their new ornaments?! SO cute! We ran by WalMart at another location so I could attempt to grab the one thing we DIDN'T score in the morning, and walked out with 2 more hot items! Best Buy for some SD cards, and then San Tan Mall. We walked a bit of the mall, and ended up at the Disney Store, which is a dangerous zone for me anyways! The lady had just announced (10a) that the additional 20% off was good until noon! SO, 3 large bags later, we walked out completing shopping for the kiddos!

It was time at this point to fuel up ourselves so we went to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast. Leaving there, a quick run by Barnes & Noble, went to Dick's sporting goods and got my nephews the coolest football toys, and called it quits! We got home at around 2p and all laid down for naps!

I seriously LOVE Black Friday. Any years in the past we hadn't gone, it was so much harder to get into the spirit! BUT I accomplished a ton of shopping, saving TONS of money, and feel totally full of the Christmas spirit!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving was awesome! Wednesday night I made 10 pies to prepare for Turkey Day. I seriously love making pies and have mastered the art of the perfect punkin pie! Mmmmmmmmm......

We went about our normal routine of heading to my in-laws at about 1130a-noon to get ready for our first feast of the day! Everything tasted amazing, and yet again my mother-in-law made stuffing that would win over the hearts of terrorists. I swear, it IS it's own food group! After watching some lame football on TV (can you say BORING) then having our own version of Thanksgiving NFL in the greenbelt by my sister-in-laws house, we headed out for feast #2 with my family! My sister, yet again, did an amazing job putting together a fantastic meal for us! And seriously, her broccoli salad recipe was FANTASTIC! (Heya LilSis, can you send me the recipe and I'll post it on here?!) I learned of a new obsession I had- Rock Band. As if my Guitar Hero love wasn't strong enough, Rock Band added to it! SO much fun! After a late night we headed home and got the babies into bed. I swear, they ate more food than I knew could fit into their bellies!

I am thankful for my amazing children. I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful for my mom, sister and AbeJed. I am thankful for ALL of my husbands family who is as much my own as they are his. I am thankful for friends, the people who love me when they have no family tie saying they have to. I am thankful for health. I am thankful for the ability, though hard, to provide for my family. I am thankful for safety among chaos. I am thankful for the people who have touched my life in the past.

And the sillies. I am thankful for Disneyland. I am thankful for Twilight. I am thankful for Starbucks. I am thankful for Gold Canyon Candles. I am thankful for San Tan Mall.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

In honor of the fact the Christmas Spirit slapped me in the face last night (the only time I allow anything to slap me), I am posting a Christmas Survey my mom sent me!

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper! SO much more fun!

Real tree or Artificial? REAL! This year we are getting a Noble, which is my favorite!When do you put up the tree? Typically the 1st week of December, but we will have to wait a bit later this year since we will be out of town!

When do you take the tree down? The first week of January. Have to have it out before it dies all over my carpet. LOL

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

I am overjoyed to announce the arrival of by best friend's sweet baby girl, born 9:24am PST on November 25, 2008 via scheduled C/S at 39wks 1day. She weighs in at a skinny 6lbs 15oz and long 20” long! Both Bestie and Bella are doing wonderful! She got to the hospital at 7a PST, all settled in and got her IV at about 830a PST. The section started at 9a PST, and Bestie was headed to recovery by 950a PST.

God has truly blessed this amazing family- completing it with their 3rd incredibley gorgeous and sweet baby girl! I love you all dearly!

Monday, November 24, 2008

On our way out on Saturday night for a date (you know, the one every 6 months we get to do alone), we were- yet again- in an accident when a man decided to take off the front end of my brand new '08 Sienna. Wonderful..... just January we were hit by a girl who ran a red light and totalled my '06 4Runner. In May, I got my new van that we built from the tires to roof, all to our specifications. That new-car-feel only lasted a few months!

As we pulled into the right turn lane, and stopped since the light was red, Hubby glanced left to make sure it was clear to go, only to find a pearl white Escalade heading right to the front left panel of my van. He had been in the far left lane approaching the line to stop, heading the same direction as us, when he decided it was a good time to turn right. For some reason, he made the turn super sharp and narrow, hitting the front quarter panel, and continued driving on, pulling off the whole front end! If we had not been there, he would have hit the curb and signal pole- that's how sharp his turn was. I immediately, in my typical temperamental nature, jumped out of the car and freaked out on him, using choice words of course. He claimed he had new glasses and couldn't see his peripheral- although he came at us head on. I explained it was probably not smart to tell the officers that since admitting you couldn't SEE what was infront of you could cause a license to be revoked. When I asked him why he didn't turn from the turn lane he said he wasn't familiar with road. I proceeded to tell him that nowhere in the country do you turn right from the far left lane, and that right turn lanes were universal. I was in no mood for his bulls%&#. Tax dollars at work- the cops showed up 20 minutes later. We had to have our van towed and he drove away, with some scrapes and charcoal-blue paint on his car.

Seriously, I know accidents are 'accidents', but there is no excuse for stupid and negligent. So now I am left in a rental. Just 9 days before our trip to Disney, we don't have our van. And I know complaining about not having a DVD player, navigation, back-up camera, leather, etc is kinda materialistic.... BUT I pay for my van for a reason.

In spite of it all, I am grateful it was low impact, grateful we hadn't started our turn of Hubby would have been hit, and mostly grateful my kids weren't with us!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

I have NEVER EVER done anything like this to my hair before! My whole life I have had long hair, occasionally being 'brave' and cutting it to my shoulders or getting bangs.... but nothing like now! I went in with a picture of a girl I think has the most adorable hair (Alice from Twilight) and walked out with my own blonde version of it!

Everyone seems to like it! I think it fits me, and it was a good time to do something drastic.

Friday, November 21, 2008

FANTASTIC movie! It was far from disappointment, which is what many book-movie situations are! I felt just as involved in it as I did when I read it. The 2 hours went by so fast, I was sitting there ready to watch again! Before I saw it, I made comments on the characters and their casting. But AFTER I saw them play their roles, PERFECT! All the key elements that made the book so amazing were in the movie, and any omissions or changes they made really were so slight they didn't interfere at all! It was wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. And when Edward sparkled. Wow.

I DEFINETLY think anyone can go see the movie, but if you can read the book before, do it! You will be able to put more meaning on so many parts if you had read the book!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?I have a scar on my right forearm on the outside. It is my Disney scar. Some chick getting on the Tram back to the parking garage shoved my sister when she sat down, which in turn pushed my daughter into the stroller on the seat next to her. I grabbed her arm and told her to back off my sister, and she started getting crazy with me so I hit the crap out of her. She got ONE grab in on my forearm and her grungy, trashy fingernail got my arm. Oh, and LittleMan was in my left arm the whole time. Don't mess with Mama Bear, you WILL regret it.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?4 pieces of artwork- pics of flowers I took at Disneyland. A collage of random pics of my little foursome. Maternity pics of me. 2 shadowboxes, one for each of the kids, with a footprint/ hand print in clay and a picture both from my sister.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?Everything but techno and metal

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?1112pm

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?To go to Sacramento when Bestie has BC3

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?Disneyland

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION?Like tangible items, not people, which would obviously be my kids. GuitarMan's guitar, my external hard drive with ALL my pictures, and my Disneyland canvas I had printed.

9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?5'9"

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?VERY. We went to a haunted house this year and you had to walk into this little girl's 'nightmare', entering thru a curtain and had to walk about 50ft between these HUGE canvas blow up things that were squished together. I was so claustrophobic walking through I couldn't think. I almost passed out.

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?Nope, not really.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?My HOBFF, Chris. But not in a bad way. LOL

13. WHATS YOUR WORST FEAR?Loosing my kids

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?I don't think I have a set standard for either.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING / BEING PROPOSED TO AT?Been there. Disneyland would be nice though in another life!

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?COFFEE, every stinking day.

17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING?Sausage and tomato

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?YC's, I crave that place hardcore these days!

Monday, November 17, 2008

I am a huge black friday shopper! Even if I go out there and hardly get anything, I love doing it. Something about it is truly the earmark for the holidays for me! We typically get up early and head to WalMart. We then head to Starbucks to fuel up, and head to Target. All store after that are left up to the current sales. We normally hit up Home Depot, Kohl's, Best Buy and finish at the mall.

This year, sadly, we probably aren't going. BUT I thought it would be good to post some resources my mommy friends have posted to find the best deals!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

I love Sundays. But, I love them even more when we go to church. Today, we didn't go to church, mainly because LittleMan was so tired form a long Saturday with no nap that he slept until after 10a. Also, because Hubby slept in, conveniently waking with hardly enough time to get ready. Instead, I made my time missed profitable. I spent a good hour balancing my checkbook and paying bills, cut fabric for my big custom order that is in progress, and got the kids all dressed to go out by noon. We headed to the mall to walk a bit and get some lunch. Then met up with Gammy to watch the ever-so-hilarious Madagasgar 2. Before leaving the mall, BabyGirl had to give Gammy the tour of the Disney Store. I swear she could work there at 3yo and do just as good as the rest of them! On the way home, I decided today was as good day as any to make some pumpkin pies, so we walked into the house and I started working on them. The night ended with football and company. I had an extra pie and of course my brother-in-law came to take it off my hands!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Much like my friend Suzy, I have felt pretty blogless lately! Not a good month to do it! With NaBloPoMo in it's hump, I can't give up!

She was tagged, therefore she played the game. She decided to not tag anyone, but I will pick up one of her required tags!

Rules?1. Go to your pictures file.2. Go to the 4th file.3. Go to the 4th picture.4. Post it and tell the story.5. Tag 4 more people.

So I am going to do it out of my Photobucket! And in turn, I tag:

SweetPeace- AC

Complete Randomness- KD

Life of a SAHM- NH

Journeys of Missa- MW

I went to Pictures in my Phptpbucket. 4th Folder was my Disney Trip from 10-06. I went to the 44th pic, since my 4th pics was the ocean. LOL....

Oh, how I LOVE this pic! We were at Disney, like we are most of the time, in October which is my FAVORITE to go besides Christmas. We stayed at the Carousel Inn that time, which was fantastic being across the street! This was the day we got into California. We had spent the morning at Laguna Beach and then headed to check in to the hotel. We got all cleaned up for a night on Downtown Disney to eat at ESPN Zone (a must every Diz trip!). I think my favorite thing about this pic is how my eyes look SO blue and BabyGirl's look SO brown/grey/greenish.

Friday, November 14, 2008

My sister emailed me this morning asking my opinion about a topic hot on her forums among women. I guess there was some heated drama going on her board and it made me feel it was a good thing to blog me answer to her! Now, ANYONE who knows me will know that asking for my opinion can be a loaded request. I have a VERY liberal way of thinking, and it only gets stronger as I get older. My opinions come off strong and sometimes overbearing. Don't think I'm threatening you or picking a fight if you don't feel as I do. Respect the variation of opinion without feeling it is a personal attack.

Today, the topic of interest was pictures on the web of baby 'tattoos'. Now, obviously, these kids aren't truly tattooed up, or that would be an entirely different blog entry. Whether it be henna marking, crusty temporary tattoos, or those new shirts that have skin colored sleeves with 'ink' and fit tightly, there seems to be mom's all huffed up about them. I figure I'd state my opinions on these, as well as putting skulls on your baby, since that seems to pop up on a cloth diapering community I am part of.

How I feel about the judgements made: Honestly, I'm over women/mom's making judgements and being so uptight when it comes to the choices OTHER parents make. It gets old, being made out to be an uneducated and careless parent, just because you do not walk the same path other parents walk. I have friends from one extreme to another. Being part of the groups I have been since June 2004, I have learned to appreciate all aspects of parenting. I have a few friends who are moms that don't vaccinate, eat organic, babywear, co-sleep, cloth diaper, don't circumcise, extended breastfeed, homeschool, etc. "Crunchy" is the label the mothering world has given that style of parenting. I also have friends who on the opposite end vaccinate on schedule, love strollers and disposable diapers, formula feed from the beginning, circumcise, slip their tot sips of Sprite, cry-it-out, etc. "Creamy" is their label. Every single mom I know in both extremes of the categories, as well as the rest of us residing somewhere in the middle, are all amazing parents. What works well for one does not work well for others, and I appreciate that!

With these tattoos in question, if it is the marking that's an issue, piercing ears or circumcision are far more severe in permanence than fake tattoos, and far more common. Sure, you can take a piercing out, but there will always be that physical trauma, and that mark in their skin. Circumcision is altering the way God made the child, removing a piece of him that can never be replaced. (my babygirl is pierced and my son circ'd). We do it willingly as parents- put them under the knife (or needle) to make altering changes, sometimes uninformed and sometimes informed but without much choice due to the other parent's opinions. Putting either a henna marking (which fades away) or slipping on a fake tattoo sleeve of fabric onto a baby is no different than dressing them up as dogs or pirates for Halloween. It is no more dangerous than using a medicated cream on a rash or putting a disposable diaper (which carries chemicals), things we do instinctively.

If it's the appearance you are concerned about, then you just have a different taste than other parent. Simple as that. I personally may look at a persons son wearing his baby blue Winnie the Pooh outfit with his white crib shoes, and think it is NOTHING I would EVER put my son in, but wouldn't go making judgements about the parents love for their child or the future well being of that kid. I, in turn, put things I like on my son, things we would wear ourselves or are part of our style, things that some other mothers may not be interested in. Shirts and shoes with skulls or tattoo images, Van's slip-ons with punk prints, Crocs (OH, so taboo in the parenting world) with skull jibbitz. If you don't like it, don't put it on your child. And don't judge someone else for their taste. Unless it's a football jersey. The only acceptable jersey is Cowboy's, all others will be teased. ;)

If it's the future morals of the child you are concerned about, don't be. It's not up to anyone to decide if my child gets a tattoo when they are older or not. It's not up to anyone to decide what is right or wrong for that individual or any individual to get a tattoo. To me, my body IS a temple, I am not oblivious to the fact God calls us to take care of our temples. I will teach my children that same thing. But it is my temple to make positive choices with, temporary in it's existence and not without flaws. I choose to get tattoos, along with a greater portion of America. To put symbols of importance or dedication on my skin- a skin that will not be following me to heaven- is something I enjoy and appreciate. If/ when my child comes to me asking for a tattoo, I will be the first one to take them to get one, considering they are older and have earned it. And I honestly believe from experience- the parents who shelter their kids from things will be the first ones to realize that if you hide things from your child versus educating them, they will be more persistent to do it and hide it from you.

Really, is it that bad? What is the point in pushing you own personal ideas of what is right and wrong or acceptable on other parents? If it is not something you agree with, then don't choose that path for your child. But also, don't judge those who think differently. Share experiences, ask questions, and try to gain an understanding of something that may seem so foreign to you. You never know, you might like it! ;)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

As I was working away, my favorite worship song came accross my Yahoo radio. This song is on my top 5 for worship songs, being that they remind me of how much God loves me and really ground me when I hear them. We had it played at our wedding, sang by the ever so talented Moses from another local church, and everytime I hear it it takes me to our wedding day and the bond of Hubby, me and God.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

My dad died when I was 13years 9mo old. He has been gone from my life 12years 10mo. By October 2009, he will be gone as long as he was with me. I don't have much to hang on to him, but the things I do have are important to me. I still share his taste in music. My heart goes to a place with him in his white Grand Prix, listening to Collective Soul or Goo Goo Dolls or Eagles with the bass pumping. He had a custom built sub box in his trunk that I later acquired. Music was something we shared. I have his wallet, the same one that left the outlined indent in his jeans. It still smelled like him for the longest time. I have one t-shirt that was his from an Eagles Reunion concert. I carry many small memories of his leather bomber jacket, him sitting in the freezing cold garage on his computer, his occasionally exposed emotional side, his workaholic traits, his passion for riding (bicycles). I can hear his nicknames that people called him in my head still. "Clark" (from the Griswold's) or "Kev" for short, or "MacGuyver" which needs no explanation. The strongest thing I carry from him is that for the most part, I AM him. I may look like my mom, but being a logical, non-emotional thinker, bull-headed, crafty, driven and short tempered are from him.

So why am I reminiscing on this? I have one more thing that I had to hang on to from him. His grandma's recipe for a very special cookie that will be left unnamed, that I make every year to honor my dad. I remember him making them every Christmas for the family, it was his thing. I remember him dropping eggs on the floor because he was the messiest cook known to man. I remember making them with him as I got old enough to do so. I remember my first Christmas without him, trying to make them to keep his tradition alive while my mom was at work, and crying on the kitchen floor not knowing what Oleo was from his original handwritten recipe. (butter, I'll never forget). Tuesday night, I was approached by my mother-in-law, who had no intention to upset me and didn't know how much this cookie meant to me, with printouts of my recipe from the Internet. Random people posted it, all having different originations of the recipe. Even Martha Stewart has it on her site. None of the recipes are the exact same as mine, but have the same general ingredients, including 2 which are key to the cookie. I felt complete devastation as I came home and plugged the name in, only to find pages on pages of recipes for similar versions. I honestly was stupid enough to believe this was in the family only, hand-written by his grandmother before she died, brought over from Denmark, and only in the hands of past family members.

It truly is something so minor, and not anything I can prevent. But mostly everyone knows what its like to hold onto something so strongly, only to be kicked in the gut and have it stolen away. I have experienced that WAY too many times in the past, and this is no exception to the feeling. I feel this little bond, a tradition carried on, has been minimized to nothing.

I will continue to make this cookie. I won't change a single ingredient from his faded and bleeding blue index card with his handwriting. But it just goes to show, that even at 26 years old, you are reminded. Reminded of what? I'm not sure. Maybe that there is a villain in every story. Maybe that fairy tales have a sequel, it never ends at Happily Ever After. And all this, over a cookie.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Since I have 20 more days of blogging for NaBloPoMo, tell me what you want to know! Ask me a question, any question. I will do my best to answer each one as thouroughly as possible! Just post it in the comments! You don't need to be a member to comment! I will not answer your question if it is listed as Anonymous. Please at least leave your name!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Last night we went to the Boys & Girls Club Silent Auction and Benefit dinner, and wow was it fun!!! I have been to some formal banquets or dinners, but nothing like this! We met up with 2 other Supervisors from Hubby's work at one of their houses. The limo came at about 5p to pick us up and take us to the resort. We had wine and talked on the way- very nice to interact with adults! When we got to the resort, we checked in for the silent auction and proceeded to the ballroom where the items were set up. There was probably 500 items up for silent auction! We bid on a few random things for the kids, a few pieces of signed artwork and drank our share of free alcohol. They had the 2 cutest Shih Tzu's up for auction that I seriously could have ran out the door with!

At 7p we headed into the main ballroom for the dinner, which was amazing! More free wine, salad, filet mignon, halibut, potatoes and some spicy slaw thing. The dessert was nothing to leave out either! Some of the 'Club Kids' performed an amazing hip-hop routine you can tell they worked so hard to put together. They live auctioned off 20 large items like trips to Rome and pools. I have never felt more poor in my life! People dropping $20k on trips! WOW!

After the dinner, and the announcement that in one night they raised over $440k, we checked in on our winnings, and won something! We walked away with a HUGE poster sized framed collage of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus pictures, autographed by Miley herself! This will make an awesome Christmas gift for my spoiled daughter! We loaded up the limo and went to the casino for a bit to blow hard earned and much needed money, but had fun doing it. Makes me realize how bad I want to go to Vegas!

It was an awesome night! Great to go get all glammed up and spend a night with adults! And we hung out with some truly awesome people. It was nice to be able to meet the manager of the company my hubby works for, and recognize the appreciation they have for him!

Friday, November 7, 2008

I am predicting Besties baby might be making her appearance tomorrow, Nov 8. I know she is so ready and is willing to do anything short of cutting her out herself before Twilight comes to theaters!

I never found a petticoat, so a combination of a black slip, tulle and a sewing machine and I will be making my own just hours before I need to wear it. I will leave it to where I can sew to it a skirt I've been dying to make for a while now. Nothing like being forced into a project! 9months of sewing for MMD and I have made LittleMan 1 set of burps, a bib and a quilt, and some leg warmers for them both. My poor kids!

LittleMan is sick. Blek. And so am I. Mine is merely allergies at this point, but that is how he started out. Hubby and I just got over nasty stomach bugs, now all this! LittleMan is coughing up a storm, probably from the drainage into his chest. He is still in good spirits though! It takes starvation or exhaustion to crush that boys loving and jovial spirit!

Although my love for Goodmama fitted diapers is strong, I am having an affair on them with MuttaQin baby. I sold off 2 goodmama's that I don't reach for, have 2 more Piddle Poddles up for sale right now, and bought 4 Mutt's. It started with one, Mickey Mouse (oh, SHOCKER, right?) and I had to go grab more. I got one with surfboards, one with robots and one with skulls(ANOTHER shocker!). They are super cute, trim and work wonderfully under clothes. I was having problems with a few of the jeans I put on LittleMan and the goodmama's being a bit too bulky. Either his jeans are skinny jeans or his diaper was just too much.

Since I'm talking about shopping, I have to mention the amazing deal I got yesterday! My mom called with an urgent message that Torrid's clothes were an additional 50% in clearance! So, naturally, my quick clicking finger goes there to start shopping. A pair of jeans, a dress, Obama t-shirt, 4 pairs of socks and footless tights later, a $162 value, I checked out spending $56.43. The jeans alone were worth almost that! I'm DEFINITELY going to have to stop loosing weight at a size 12-14. I don't think I can bear not buying clothes from Torrid! LOL.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Don't worry, I didn't miss yesterday's post for my NaBloPoMo! I posted one very late Tuesday that I would have posted on Wednesday, but did it early!

To veer away from my passion with the Election, I won't talk about anything political today.... hahaha.

MaggieMoo Designs is doing fantastic! In just a few short days, I got a custom diaper bag order as well as a custom order for 8 gift sets! VERY exciting, and also petrifying! I know I will be super busy once my fabrics come in for everything, and I know (or hope at least) one day I am so busy I need to hire people to help me!

I am on a mad search right now for a petticoat (full slip). We were invited by Hubby's work to go to a silent auction benefit on Saturday that is black tie attire. I had to get a dress on 2 weeks notice and ordered one off eBay from the UK. THANK GOODNESS for loosing weight, because I was able to get a non-plus size dress and it FIT! It really is sad how limited styles are for plus-sized clothing. The only drawback to the dress is it didn't come with any filler underneath, and it lays limp. With the style of the dress, it needs to be fuller! SO we will see how successful I am in finding one!

Otherwise, life is quiet today, although tomorrow might be another story!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I wanted to post this now, just minutes after the television broke to our wonderful country, in the height of my emotion.

When I saw the title on CNN "Barack Obama Elected President", I broke into immediate tears. Not the same tears I have cried so much over the past few years over finances, struggles or hardships. The kind of tears you cry when you have been given one of the most amazing gifts.

I feel hopeful for the future. I feel these next few years will be something amazing. A path in the right direction. I feel my children's future will be given a chance. I feel anything is possible.

I feel America realizes they made a mistake 4 years ago and overcompensated for that mistake by firmly choosing the right path in '08. I feel minorities and the true definition of diversity are being given a chance to shine.

Obama is exactly what we need. And I look forward to the instances he will prove this in the future!

The one problem I have found though- I have already seen plenty of people voting for the other side that have lashed out and are hurting friends and loved ones to benefit their own disappointment. It has taken 30 minutes for feelings to be hurt and highs to be burned down because there are people out there who not only disagree, but will go to petty lengths to prove they disagree. Open your minds, people. Respect those souls who believe in something different than you. You wouldn't go knocking the knees out from people practicing different religions than you, or who follow different traditions than you. Have respect for others as humans, and conclude on your own, just as you decided on your own.

I would love for you to read my blog if you have stumbled here, but before you move on, open your mind. My tolerance for narrow mindedness has ran out as of late. I have made my decisions based on deep desires in my heart, based on tons of considerations on BOTH sides of the spectrum, and based on the future that I hope to see.

My excitement, joy and pride is more than I can explain. What I did this morning feels like I truly exercised my right to speak (with the exception of having to remove my button, gotta love the 'exceptions' to freedom of speech- but I kept my necklace on!). I just voted for Barack Obama to be the change for my United States.

Why do I say 'change' and not 'next'? I think 'next' is such a loose term in proportion to how I feel about this election, and about my candidate. You are 'next in line' to the cashier at the store, the piece of gum behind the one in front is the 'next' one to be chewed, the soda in the back of the carton is the 'next' to be drank. Those 'nexts' serve no impact. It is the same thing you just did, but again. No impact, no element of surprise, no change to the pattern.... just status qua.

McCain- Same. Constant. Safe. Next.

Obama- Different. New. Fresh. Raw. Hopeful. Potential. Life.

I am definitely not discrediting McCain and his abilities to run the country. He has much experience as a government figure, war hero, and human. But he is not the route I plan to choose when it comes to the future of my family. I have lost much respect for him throughout the course of campaigning with his consistent defensive tantrums, petty daggers he has thrown and his choice of running mate.

What are some things that are important to me?

I believe in Obama's direction for the economy. Focusing on the people who keep this country going, the middle class, is something that is necessary. Why else would we have been given a stimulus this past year? To get the PEOPLE injecting it into the economy. The government knows its us, so why try and fool everyone that helping large corporations is beneficial? They will only take that tax break and apply it toward their profits, and continue to outsource labor and trade from other countries rather than reach from within. America is greedy, and I have yet to see a corporation even hint that tax breaks for them will create new jobs. Tax cuts for the average family like mine or small business struggling to survive- that is what I believe in.

Efficiency vs. Independence? Sure, drilling oil will be a quick fix. It's safe, they tell us. I don't deny that. But why throw a steak in the microwave to cook it, when if you take a little extra effort you can make it the best steak ever? Why do we need to rush straight to the easiest and quickest scenario, to drill oil and use our resources up, just to quickly patch up the problem? It will only create greater problems for the future and cost us Americans more money than necessary. Instead, why can't we put the money, like McCain is promising to oil companies as tax breaks, into working on ways to make our country more efficient WITHOUT the full reliance on oil? Lets take the time, tenderize the steak, throw some seasonings on it and grill it for a while. Let's work on more energy efficient cars. Use wind, solar or hydro power to fuel our everyday activities- those are resources God has given us. Why wouldn't we utilize them?? And really, why do we have SO much in reserve? Let's not keep our FEAR that something might happen and cling to our reserve like a lifeboat. Let's create our own future where the reserve is nice to have, but not necessary for survival. This is not something that will happen in 4 or 8 years, but it is something that if one brave soul starts, and proves to our sceptical nation it is possible, can be the key to our children's and grandchildren's futures.

Don't tax my health care, and stop being so damn unfair about it. I am very lucky to have affordable health care via a large corporation. I know if it were to sky rocket in price, or if I were to be taxed on it, I would have to reconsider holding a policy for myself or my husband. These health care companies need to be handed some rules, set in forth by our government, in order to give every American the chance. It is unfair that I pay approximately $100/month for my entire family for insurance coverage with extremely reasonable co-pays and meds, and that I paid a total of $15 from start to finish on my pregnancy. Why is it unfair? Because I work in HR and watch people add and remove their kids to their policy almost monthly because they just cannot afford the ridiculously expensive rates offered to a small business by bloodsucking insurance agencies, yet their children need care. Because my sister has coverage that costs an arm and a leg to have, let alone the percentage cost they charge her to maintain an unavoidable disease she has had for 12 years. Because the God given right of reproduction- delivering a baby is costing thousands for my bestie, on top of unreasonable rates just to hold the policy for her family. Because my step-dad struggled and failed to acquire private insurance and fell ill and died due to limits on treatment, all because they wouldn't extend coverage to him. Because my friends son who was born with a small defect in his heart is now being told by the insurance company they planned to move to after he was born might not cover him. You call that accessible?! Fair?! Affordable?! No. And I firmly believe that if you want to call Obama's plan socialism... then call me a socialist. But everyone should be given the same opportunities. Obama will require agencies to cover pre-existing conditions, help small businesses make it affordable for their employees, and put limits and rules on insurance agencies and their price gauging.

Those are just a few of my feelings on why I support my candidate. I have faith in him, and know he will do great things. And I truly pray I can come back and post later this week about my excitement and hope, and say that come January 20, President Obama will be the man in charge!

Monday, November 3, 2008

I would love for you to read my blog if you have stumbled here, but before you move on, open your mind. My tolerance for narrow mindedness has ran out as of late. I have made my decisions based on deep desires in my heart, based on tons of considerations on BOTH sides of the spectrum, and based on the future that I hope to see.

Tomorrow I have a post coming all about my presidential pick and some important reasons for it. But for today, I want to post on the propositions. These always annoyed me in the past because the commercial interfered with my TV shows and the signs with my scenery, but being my 3rd election now and seeing how these things affect me, I have taken a deeper interest. The urgency on this election has forced many Americans, including myself, to be involved and persistent about voicing our opinions. Times are bad, terrible, and only we can change it!

Arizona 100 Protect Our Homes: YES....adding additional tax to a home sale will only further hurt the already hurting Americans. The government benefits, the mortgage companies aren't affected, but this would only hurt homeowners. Aren't we struggling enough???

Arizona 101 Medical Choice for AZ: NO.... This stops any future reform when it comes to Arizona Health care. This is a dangerous choice. It doesn't HELP anyone acquirehealth care, it just prevents Arizona from telling you what to do. This proposition isn't spelled out enough, it is leaving WAY too many loose ends. Once perfected and thorough, I would reconsider.

Arizona 102 Marriage Protection Amendment: NO... (preface: I am not gay) Same sex marriage isn't legal in Arizona, that's already a fact, can't we leave it at that? To amend the constitution to say marriage is for a man and woman will only put a stop on the future and possibly hurt any opportunities for same sex couples to be given rights. This is a moral issue for me. If I choose to be gay, it is not up to the suits in office to tell me it is right or wrong. Let's not hastily alter what was laid down by our forefathers (the constitution) due to some peoples opinions of morally 'right'. And to get really nitty gritty about it, I have seen some homosexual relationships that were more loving, committed and honest than some heterosexual relationships. I am not for stopping the opportunity for the in the future. If my children came to me and said they fell in love with someone of the same sex, I would fight for them to have the same rights as any other heterosexual couple, and would not tolerate that the constitution that defines my country would condemn them for their lifestyle.

Arizona 105 Majority Rules: NO... I don't want it to be counted as a no vote if I don't go vote on a matter. Don't take my voice.

Arizona 200 Payday Loan Reform: I am opting out of voting on this. Although I think the rates should be lowered for people who choose to utilize payday loans, I think payday loans are snaky and only see money-grubbing suits behind these companies. I have seen people get deeper than intended because of these, only making it harder for them to survive financially.

Arizona 201 Homeowners Bill of Rights: YES...There's too many shady building practices out there. I think this may help to keep people more honest and accountable.

Arizona 202 Illegal Hiring: NO... We have a current law in place that seems to be working. The E-Verify system is keeping businesses accountable. Arizona is trying to get petty and further the law to unreasonable levels, just because the government has failed in their attempts to protect jobs. Let's leave things as-is for a while instead of giving Arpaio more reasons to keep up the racial discrimination in order to collect fines form businesses.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Yesterday was the second year we participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations walk for a cure for Type 1 diabetes as a family team called Kara's Krew. My sister, now 22, was diagnosed at 10 with this challenging disease. This came on the heels of loosing our father at such young ages. She has fought tirelessly for the last 12 years to keep this condition in check, but we are hoping her fight will soon have a victory. We all firmly believe a cure is in the works, and something that can be achieved in our lifetime, which is why we gather together as a family to raise money and walk for a cure.

Our team, composed of my sister, her husband, myself, Hubby, our kids, my mom, my sisters mother-in-law and her significant other. Together, in this tight economy, and with the help of many loving people, we were able to raise $1810.08! DOUBLE what we raised in 2006 when we did the walk! I couldn't be more thankful to everyone who was part of our day! Please enjoy the following pictures from our day!

About Me

Gabriella was diagnosed in April 2009 with a severe and irreparable congenital heart defect, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. On September 25 2009, just before being listed for her new heart, she suffered a left MCA stroke, impairing her right arm abilities and taking away her speech. She was finally listed and received her heart after 97 days of waiting on May 17, 2010. Gabriellasheart.com has transitioned from a diary of our simple life to a log of Gabriella's status, and proves what a warrior she is.